Carnival Encounter - 12/6/2025
The December 6, 2025 cruise on the Carnival Encounter departs from Brisbane, Australia. On this 6 Night Great Barrier Reef (Brisbane Roundtrip) sailing, the ship will visit a total of 4 cruise port destinations, including its departure port. The Carnival Encounter sets sail on Saturday, Dec 6th and returns on Friday, Dec 12th.
Cruise Itinerary
Itinerary
Carnival Encounter - December 6, 2025 - 6 Nights
| Day | Date | Port |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dec 5th | Brisbane, Australia |
| 2 | Dec 6th | At Sea |
| 3 | Dec 8th | Cruise Willis Island, Australia |
| 4 | Dec 9th | Yorkey's Knob (cairns), Australia |
| 5 | Dec 10th | Airlie Beach, Queensland, Australia |
| 6 | Dec 10th | At Sea |
| 7 | Dec 12th | Brisbane, Australia |
The Carnival Encounter sails on December 6, 2025 for a 6 Night Great Barrier Reef (Brisbane Roundtrip). The ship will depart the port of Brisbane, Australia at 2:00 PM and will return to the port of Brisbane, Australia on Dec 12th at 6:00 AM. During the 7-day journey, the Carnival Encounter will visit 3 additional ports and will spend 2 days at sea.
Itinerary Safety Score
Based on my comprehensive research of cruise port safety information, including recent crime reports, travel advisories, Global Peace Index rankings, and specific port security concerns, we've created a "safety score" for each cruise port stop. The overall rating below represents a combined score for your specific cruise itinerary.
Cruise Ship
Carnival Encounter
CARNIVAL ENCOUNTER SIZE
The Encounter has a construction date of 2002 and a total size of 109,000 gross tons. The ship measures 951 feet (290 meters) in length. Carnival Encounter is included in Carnival’s Grand Class. At full capacity, the Carnival Encounter holds 3,700 passengers. That includes 2,600 cruise vacationers and 1,100 staff members. The Encounter total number of staterooms is 1,300.
Carnival Encounter Size & Stats
- Gross Tonnage:109,000 GT
- Length:951 ft (290 m)
- Beam:118 ft (36 m)
- Draft:26 ft (8 m)
- Max Speed:26 mph (23 kn)
- Year Built:2002
- Years Served:2002 - Present
- Capacity:2,600
- Crew Members:1,100
- Total on Board:3,700
- Total Staterooms:1,300
- Flagged Country:Bahamas
- Ship Cost:425 Million
- Status:active
To see how this compares, click through to see Carnival Encounter age and stats vs all Carnival ships. There you’ll find graphs showing length, capacity, tonnage and more for this ship vs all in the fleet.
To check out the ship from top to bottom, click here for Carnival Encounter Deck Plans.
Cruise Ports
Brisbane, Australia, offers docking at Portside Wharf. Travelers explore South Bank and Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. Excursions visit Gold Coast beaches. Local markets sell lamingtons. The peak season, December to February, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures urban rivers and Pacific vistas. Dining onboard includes barramundi, an Australian favorite. Souvenirs, like Aboriginal crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Yuggera history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the subtropical climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Brisbane’s urban charm offers a vibrant Australian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of cultural landmarks and scenic rivers, making Brisbane an engaging destination for exploration. (126 words)
Take advantage of the many on board activites during your day at sea. You'll have more than enough to fill your day!
Willis Island, Australia, has no docking; ships anchor offshore in the Coral Sea. Travelers observe red-footed boobies nesting on the tiny cay. Snorkeling reveals vibrant coral reefs. No facilities exist; provisions are ship-based. The peak season, June to October, brings calm seas. Photography captures turquoise waters. Dining onboard features reef fish. Souvenirs, like coral prints, are available in ship shops. Briefings emphasize marine protection. Sun protection is crucial for the tropical climate. Willis Island’s remote reefs offer a serene Great Barrier Reef stopover.
Yorkey’s Knob (Cairns), Australia, offers docking at Yorkey’s Knob Port with excursions to Cairns. Travelers explore Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest. Excursions include snorkeling at Green Island. Local markets sell lamingtons. The peak season, May to September, brings dry weather for coastal tours. Photography captures coral reefs and Pacific vistas. Dining onboard includes barramundi, an Australian favorite. Souvenirs, like coral crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Aboriginal history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while water shoes enhance reef exploration. Yorkey’s Knob’s marine allure offers a vibrant Australian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of UNESCO reefs and rainforests, making Yorkey’s Knob an engaging destination.
Airlie Beach, in the Whitsunday Region of Queensland, anchors as a tender port for cruises to the Great Barrier Reef, with ships docking at Port of Airlie or Abell Point Marina. The town, population around 8,000, sits on a small inlet 1,100 kilometers north of Brisbane. Passengers walk 10 minutes from the tender pier to the lagoon, a 4,300-square-meter saltwater pool providing stinger-free swimming from November to May. Excursions depart for the 74 Whitsunday Islands, including full-day sails to Whitehaven Beach for its silica sands and swirling tides, or Heart Reef for aerial views via seaplane. Snorkeling tours target Hardy Reef's pontoons with underwater observatories and glass-bottom boats. Conway National Park, minutes away, offers rainforest hikes to waterfalls and lookouts along the 20-kilometer Bicentennial Pathway. Local operators provide half-day kayaking in sheltered coves. Dining along the waterfront includes fresh seafood cafes and bakeries serving meat pies. Shops stock sunscreen, hats, and Aboriginal art souvenirs. Peak season December to February brings crowds; book tours in advance. Evening markets feature live music and street food. Buses connect to Shute Harbour for additional reef access.
Take advantage of the many on board activites during your day at sea. You'll have more than enough to fill your day!
Brisbane, Australia, offers docking at Portside Wharf. Travelers explore South Bank and Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. Excursions visit Gold Coast beaches. Local markets sell lamingtons. The peak season, December to February, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures urban rivers and Pacific vistas. Dining onboard includes barramundi, an Australian favorite. Souvenirs, like Aboriginal crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Yuggera history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the subtropical climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Brisbane’s urban charm offers a vibrant Australian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of cultural landmarks and scenic rivers, making Brisbane an engaging destination for exploration. (126 words)